Alan Grayson eyeing redistricting for a comeback

Former U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson -- beloved by liberals, loathed by Republicans -- sent an email today boasting he raised more than $36,000 in one day from 1,213 donors, the latest sign he's planning a comeback.

"For each one of you who gave, I know you gave for one reason: because I was the kind of Congressman that you wanted me to be. And if I ever have the job again, then I will be that kind of Congressman again," Grayson wrote.

He recently told the Buzz that he's waiting to see what happens with redistricting. Orlando is likely to get one of Florida's two new Congressional seats. Grayson can raise money but his combative rhetoric makes him an easy target. His defeat to Republican Dan Webster was one of the highlights for the GOP as it took control of the House in a landslide election.

Grayson denied his efforts are merely to knock down a substantial campaign debt, which reached $1.6 million at the end of the election. But a disclaimer on his website says new money can go toward the debt.

"As you can see from our FEC filings, the money that has come in has been used to keep a skeletal operation intact," he told the Buzz. "It's not a cheap thing to maintain an e-mail list with hundreds of thousands of subscribers and send e-mails every week or so, in addition to the TV appearances, the blogging, the occasional out-of-town event, etc. As to whether I 'return' or not, we'll see. As of today, I'm not running for anything. In fact, there is nothing to run for, since the lines haven't been drawn yet."

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